International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)

ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-06, Sep 2018

Property Prediction of Jatropha Oil based Biodiesel –

Petrodiesel blends using Refractive Indices
S. R. Shah, Ph. D. Scholar, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad-382424, India.
srshah@ldce.ac.in
A. P. Vyas, Ph. D. Supervisor, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad-382424, India.
amish71in@yahoo.com

Abstract: Biodiesel is a sustainable source of energy derived from living beings including; plants, animals, micro-
organism and their wastes. It has been more than a century since the discovery of Biodiesel and till date number of
research work is going on in proving it the best alternate source of energy. Many literature sights the various ways for
property prediction, but each of them has some or the other limitations either in terms of applicability or accuracy.
This paper is an attempt to resolve the issue of prediction of properties like Density and Viscosity of Jatropha Oil based
Biodiesel – Petrodiesel blends using Refractive Indices. The paper discloses the experimental data of refractive indices
for various degrees of blends and correlations to predict density and viscosity without actual experiments. This will ease
the work of researchers who are working on establishing the applications of Jatropha Oil based Biodiesel – Petrodiesel
blends.

Keywords — Jatropha Biodiesel, Refractive Index, Density, Viscosity, Correlations

I. INTRODUCTION refractive index, the correlation for density is also derived.

[13]
Jatropha based biodiesel is one of the key biodiesels around
which the biofuel development in India focuses. Jatropha II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP[14]
plant seeds are rich in oil with almost 40% volume and do
The experiments were performed on the refractometer
not need any specific refining for using in diesel generators
Reichert AR200 which can give accuracy upto 4 decimal
and engines. [1] Jatropha has the potential to provide
places. The readings are taken for all the blend
economic benefits at the local level since under suitable
concentration with the temperature variation of the 298.15
management it has the potential to grow in dry marginal
K, 303.15 K, 313.15 K 318.15 K and 323.15. All the data
non-agricultural lands, thereby allowing villagers and
are measured with ±0.0001 accuracy.
farmers to leverage non-farm land for income
generation.[2,3] There are two technical benefits of
2.1 Biodiesel Blends and mixing[13]
Jatropha; (a) it is non-food crop, it thus, do not hinder the
food crop cycle; [4,5] (b) it is carbon-neutral.[6] In India,
The sample considered for present study are B00, B05,
the total plantation area of Jatropha is 7.48*103 km2, and an
B10, B15, B20, B25, B30, B35, B40, B45, B50, B55, B60,
oil potential of 15*103 t/y.[7]
B65, B70, B75, B80, B85, B90, B95 and B100.
B100 is 100% biodiesel. It has a solvent effect and it can
In this paper, discussion is made on correlations for
clean a vehicle’s fuel system and release deposit
determination of density and viscosity using refractive
accumulated from previous petroleum diesel use. The
index, also data has been tabulated for various temperatures
release of this deposit may initially clog filters and require
between ranges of 298.15 K to 323.15 K for Jatropha based
replacement. It may require special handling and equipment
biodiesel – petrodiesel blend fractions between 0 and 1.
modification. To avoid engine operational problems, B100
must meet the requirement of standard specification for
Refractive Index is measured using Refractometer, ASTM
biodiesel fuel.[2,15,16] B100 use could also increase
D-3321 12/13 [8], so far in no literature this property for
nitrogen oxide emissions, although it greatly reduces other
various blends at different temperatures has been sighted.
toxic emissions. B100 is less common than B5 or B20 due
[9,10] Thus, in the current work the density and refractive
to a lack of regulatory incentives.[17] B20 (20% biodiesel,
index of Jatropha based biodiesel and petro diesel blend
80% petroleum diesel) is the most common biodiesel blend.
was analyzed and data were obtained at different absolute
B20 is popular because it represents a good balance of cost,
temperature ranging 298.15K - 323.15 K. The resulting
emission, cold-weather performance, materials
correlation used to calculate the refractive index of the
compatibility, and ability to act as a solvent. Using B20
blend. Later on these calculated values are compared with
provides substantial benefits and avoids many of the cold-
the currently available mixing rules like Kay, Newton,
weather performance and material compatibility concerns
Eykman, Dale-Gladestone and Lorentz-Lorenz
associated with B100. Biodiesel blend B20 must meet
correlations.[11,12] Also from the calculated values of
prescribed quality standards. [18] Biodiesel contains about

416 | IJREAMV04I0642108 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.0753 © 2018, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-06, Sep 2018

8% less energy per gallon than petroleum diesel. [19] For
B20, this could mean a 1% to 2% difference, but most B20
users report no noticeable difference in performance or fuel
economy. Greenhouse gas and air-quality benefits of
biodiesel are roughly commensurate with the blend. B20
use provides about 20% of the benefit of B100 use. A B5
blend is 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum based diesel. It is
one of the most common blends associated with biodiesel
because of the use of B5 blend in state or municipal
mandates.[20] Most major engine manufactures have
approved the use of a B5 blend in their engines. The
American standard for testing materials (ASTM) which sets
the international standards for diesel fuel has revised its
statement so that a B5 blend is treated the same as
conventional diesel, specification for diesel fuel oils,
revised to allow for up to 5 percent biodiesel content. This
allows B5 blends to be treated the same as conventional
diesel for testing purpose. The properties of Jatropha oil are
usually dependent on fatty acids. Approximately 98% of
crude Jatropha oil is made up of fatty acids. [21]
current study purpose, the temperatures that were taken into
consideration were 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 313.15 K, 318.15K
and 323.15K. All the values were determined as the average
of two readings.
2.4 Measurement of Viscosity
The viscosity of the blend was determined using the
Rheometer. The sample of 60 ml was filled in the sampling
crucible. Then the rotating float was inserted in the
crucible. The heating was done with the external oil heating
system. The sample was allowed to attain equilibrium at the
given temperature. For current biodiesel petro diesel blend
viscosity was experimented at constant shear rate. Numbers
of set points were taken as the constant points. For each
sample reading were taken at 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 313.15
K, 318.15K and 323.15K
2.5 Apparatus

Table 1:FFA Composition of Jatropha oil [21]

Sr. % in Jatropha
Fatty acid Fuel
No. Oil
Palmitic 13
01 Saturated
Stearic 2.53
Oleic 48.8
02 Unsaturated
Linoleic 34.6

Blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel may be

accomplished by: Figure 1: Specific gravity bottle with constant
1. Mixing in tanks at manufacturing point prior to temperature water bath
delivery to tanker truck
2. Splash mixing in the tanker truck (adding specific
percentages of biodiesel and petroleum diesel)
3. In-line mixing, two components arrive at tanker
truck simultaneously.
4. Metered pump mixing petroleum diesel and
biodiesel meters are set to X total volume, transfer
pump pulls from two points and mix is complete
on leaving pump.

2.2 Measurement of Refractive Index

The refractive index was measured using refractometer, Figure 2: Rheometer
started by cleaning of the prism by help of warm water and
soap and drying well with a soft wipe which left no residue.
Samples of 1ml of each blend were taken and the prism was III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
well covered with a black paper to get accurate readings.
[22] The higher temperature variation was achieved by
3.1 Refractive Index
changing the oil sample temperature and allowed reaching
The refractive index values were measured for all the blend
its thermal stability at each temperature. All the
of the Jatropha oil base biodiesel and petro diesel. The
experiments were repeated three times and the average
experimental values are tabulated in the table 2. Two
reading was considered. Before starting of the experiments,
parameters correlation (Temperature and biodiesel
the equipment was calibrated using the standard available
percentage) was developed using the experimental values
buffer solution and the deviation was observed to be 0.02%.
obtained for Refractive Index. Table 2 shows the
comparison of the results obtained experimentally and
2.3 Measurement of Density
using available models for blend samples ranging from B00
For the density measurement specific gravity bottle was
to B100. There are other parameters available for the
used with temperature controlled water bath. For the
prediction of properties for the binary mixtures. [23]
measurement of density the specific gravity bottle of 25 ml
capacity was filled with the blend sample. Then the bottle
was placed inside the water bath and allowed to attain
equilibrium at the given specific temperature. For the

417 | IJREAMV04I0642108 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.0753 © 2018, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-06, Sep 2018

Table 2: Refractive Index Values obtained for various blend percentages at different temperatures via Experiment as
well as Correlations

The obtained correlation for refractive index using blend

The various models used to predict the properties, percentage for the specified temperature range is given by
Refractive Index, Density and Viscosity are tabulated in equation 7, where n is refractive index of blend at given
table 3. [9] In the models, is refractive index of blend, temperature and n0 is refractive index of pure diesel at that
is refractive index of component i, is volume fraction temperature.
of component i.
( ) ( )
Table 3: Various Models Used to predict the Properties
Models Governing Equations The experimental data shows that the value of refractive
Kay (1) index (R. I.) of a sample blend decreases with the increase
Newton in biodiesel content in sample blend and temperature. A
∑* ( )+ (2) linear dependence on logarithmic scale of the refractive
index of the blend with composition can be observed.
Eykman
∑, ( )- (3)
Refractive Index Variation with Temperatures
Dale- 0.3780
Gladston ∑* ( )+ (4) 0.3760
0.3740 298.15 K
Lorentz-
ln (R. I.)

0.3720
Lorenz ∑, ( )- (5) 303.15 K
0.3700
313.15 K
0.3680
The accuracy of predictive models was estimated with Root 0.3660 318.15 K
Mean Square Prediction Difference (RMSPD). 0.3640 323.15 K
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
Volume fraction of Jatropha Based biodiesel
√ ∑* + ( )
Figure 3: Experimental refractive index data is
Where, and were the calculated and experimental presented versus composition at different temperatures
values respectively and n is no. of experimental data.

418 | IJREAMV04I0642108 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.0753 © 2018, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-06, Sep 2018

The accuracy of experimental work is determined by

RMSPD values given in Table 2, the values show the high 303.15 K
accuracy of the data. The correlation for the development of 4.60
4.40
the prediction of the refractive index using two parameter 4.20 Predicted Values
models are explained below: [12] 4.00 Experimental Values
( ) 3.80

Viscosity (cP)
3.60
3.40
Where, nm = refractive index of the biodiesel blend, 3.20
v1= volume fraction of biodiesel in the mixture of 3.00
biodiesel blend, 2.80
2.60
a’ and b’ are the empirical correlation constant. 2.40
The constants are defined as,[12] 2.20
2.00
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
( ) Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend

( )
Where, T = Temperature of the biodiesel blend 313.15 K
4.50
4.00 Predicted Values
Based on this method, the empirical correlation developed

Viscosity (cP)
from the experimental data for the prediction of the Experimental Values
3.50
biodiesel blend refractive index is,
3.00
2.50
( )
2.00
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
Table 4: Accuracy for developed correlation as per Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend
equation (10)
Temperature 298.15 303.15 313.15 318.15 323.15
(K)
RMSPD (%) 0.2560 0.2552 0.3125 0.3746 0.3847 318.15 K
4.00
3.80 Predicted Values
The accuracy of data as computed using RMSPD formula is 3.60 Experimental Values
tabulated in table 4 and the lower values of RMSPD %
Viscosity (cP)

3.40
shows high accuracy of data. 3.20
3.00
2.80
3.2 Viscosity 2.60
The values of viscosity for various blend fractions and 2.40
temperature range was determined by the earlier mentioned 2.20
experimental methodology. Using these two parameters and 2.00
the experimental data co-relation was obtained by the two 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
parameter method. The resultant prediction correlation Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend
depends on two variables, i.e. refractive index and the
323.15 K
temperature as shown in Eq. 11
3.80
3.60 Predicted Values
3.40
298.15 K Experimental Values
Viscosity (cP)

3.20
3.00
5.00 2.80
4.80 Predicted Values 2.60
4.60 2.40
Viscosity (cP)

4.40 Experimental Values

2.20
4.20 2.00
4.00 1.80
3.80
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
3.60
3.40 Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend
3.20
3.00
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 ( )
Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend
Table 5: RMSPD value for eq. (11)
Temperature 298.15 303.15 313.15 318.15 323.15
(K)
RMSPD (%) 1.43 2.21 3.99 2.84 4.04

419 | IJREAMV04I0642108 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.0753 © 2018, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-06, Sep 2018

3.3 Density
318.15 K
The values of density for various blend fractions and 4.00
temperature range was determined by the earlier mentioned 3.80 Predicted Values
experimental methodology. Using these two parameters and 3.60
Experimental Values
the experimental data co-relation was obtained by the two 3.40

Viscosity (cP)
parameter method. The resultant prediction correlation 3.20
depends on two variables, i.e. refractive index and the 3.00
temperature as shown in Eq. 12 2.80
2.60
2.40
( ) 2.20
2.00
298.15 K 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend
5.00
4.80 Predicted Values
4.60 323.15 K
Viscosity (cP)

4.40 Experimental Values

4.20 3.80
4.00 3.60 Predicted Values
3.80 3.40 Experimental Values

Viscosity (cP)
3.60 3.20
3.40 3.00
3.20 2.80
3.00 2.60
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 2.40
2.20
Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend 2.00
1.80
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend

303.15 K
4.60 Table 6: RMSPD value for eq. (12)
4.40 Temperature 298.15 303.15 313.15 318.15 323.15
4.20 Predicted Values
4.00 (K)
Experimental Values
3.80 RMSPD (%) 0.138 0.073 0.244 0.178 0.166
Viscosity (cP)

3.60
3.40
3.20
3.00 IV. CONCLUSION
2.80
2.60 In the present study the generalized correlation for the
2.40 prediction of the refractive index with the absolute
2.20
2.00
temperature and volume fraction of Jatropha Oil Based
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 Biodiesel were developed. With the help of correlation of
the refractive index and temperature, other correlations for
Volume Fraction of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Blend
the prediction of the viscosity and density for biodiesel and
petro-diesel blends were derived with the accuracy to get
313.15 K the property prediction over the entire concentration profile
4.40 of the biodiesel percentage.
4.20
Predicted Values
4.00 REFERENCES
Viscosity (cP)

3.80 Experimental Values

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421 | IJREAMV04I0642108 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.0753 © 2018, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.